Ensuring rights have no borders!  In 2005, Planned Parenthood Association of the Mercer Area teamed up with Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey in a groundbreaking partnership to participate in Planned Parenthood’s Global Partners in Local Communities program.  The two affiliates partnered with Planned Parenthood of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal office in Durban, South Africa (PPASA KZN). 

PPASA – KZN is one of the largest provincial offices of Planned Parenthood of South Africa.  It supports a wide range of projects in under-resourced communities.  Their primary focus is HIV/AIDS prevention, adolescent sexual reproductive health, counseling, testing, and advocacy.

We were proud and thrilled to welcome our Global Partners from South Africa.  A delegation of staff from Planned Parenthood Association of South Africa visited New Jersey from September 19th, 2005 to October 4th, 2005.  The South African delegation spent time visiting schools and health centers, observing education programs, and meeting with community service providers, public officials, and members of the media.

The South African delegates also spoke in a series of panel discussions and public forums in order to share the work of Global Partners and highlight reproductive issues facing South Africa and how they are impacted by the policies of the United States.

The Global Partners program brings U.S.-based Planned Parenthood affiliates together with family planning providers in the developing world to share expertise, experience, and ideas on a variety of issues. 

The Planned Parenthood Global Partners program seeks to:

• increase knowledge of international family planning;

• engage the community on behalf of global reproductive rights; and

• secure passage of laws and policies that guarantee reproductive freedom for all.

The NJ delegates returned from their trip to KwaZulu-Natal in May 2005.  Visit the weblog of the NJ Team's Exchange Visit to South Africa for an inside peek at their amazing experiences.

What can you do???

• Educate others you know—tell just three people about this program and what you have learned.
• Check out www.plannedparenthood.org/global to learn more.  Get the facts about global reproductive health issues.
• Write a letter or email to your legislator(s) asking them for their support of international issues.  Create your own letter or use sample letters that are available at  www.plannedparenthoodnj.org/letters.
• Have an event!  Invite us to speak at your place of worship, organizational meeting, event, house party, etc.  Get a group of friends together and invite us to come.  We can provide an interactive and educational workshop tailored to your needs.  Call 609-599-4881 ext. 132 for more information.
• Sign up on the Action Alert Network at www.plannedparenthoodnj.org.  We will alert you via email to pressing reproductive health issues.
• Check out PPASA website at http://ppasa.org.za
• For other ways you can help or to make a donation, please call (609) 599-4881 ext. 127.